with request for inclusion in the agenda for the debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 115 of the Rules of Procedure
by Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck, and Marios Matsakis,
on behalf of the ALDE Group
on human rights in Moldova, in particular in Transnistria

NB: This motion for a resolution is available in the original language only.

European Parliament resolution on human rights in Moldova, in particular in Transnistria

B6‑0168/06

The European Parliament,

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having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in Moldova, in particular its resolutions of 18 December 2003 and of 21 February 2005,

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having regard to the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement signed on 28 November 1994 between Moldova and the EU which entered into force on 1 July 1998,

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having regard to the European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan for Moldova that sets the direction for a strategic cooperation between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union, adopted on 22 February 2006;

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having regard to Rule 115 of its Rules of Procedure,

A.
whereas the European Union recognises Moldova's European aspirations and Moldova's deep historical, cultural and economic ties with the European Union and its Member States,

C.
whereas respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law is a fundamental element upon which the development of future relations will be based,

D.
whereas the security and human rights situation in Moldova's breakaway region of Transnistria remain a very serious concern, where the separatist authorities reportedly continue to use torture and arbitrary arrest and detention, as demonstrated in the case of the two members of the so-called Ilascu Group,

E.
whereas the Transnistrian authorities continue to harass independent media and NGOs and discriminate against and persecute the Romanian-speaking population,

1.
Expresses its strong and continuing support for the efforts of the Moldovan authorities to successfully implement the Action Plan as part of the European Union's Neighbourhood Policy;

2.
Expresses its full and unconditional support for Moldova's territorial integrity and all efforts to find a peaceful settlement to the Transnistrian conflict, in line with the Istanbul OSCE Summit conclusions of 1999; deplores Russia's failure to respect the commitments it took on this occasion to withdraw its troops; warns against attempts in the Russian Duma to support the self-proclaimed leadership of the breakaway region;

3.
Urges the Transnistrian authorities to comply with the ruling of the ECHR to end the unlawful detention of Andrei Ivantoc and Tudor Petrov-Popa, and to release them from their detention,

4.
Calls on the Transnistrian authorities to take measures to combat the rampant organised crime and the high level of corruption, to deal with the lack of respect for human and fundamental rights in the region and to engage actively in the search for a lasting solution to the conflict; supports the inclusion of Transnistrian officials on the EU visa ban list and call on the Council and Commission to consider further measures,

5.
Urges the Moldovan authorities to take firmer actions in the field of human rights, to combat corruption, to implement justice reform and to ensure freedom of the media and free access to information in order to be regarded as a fully democratic state which shares European values,

6.
Underlines that the judicial system still needs further reforms in order to secure full independence of the courts, notes recent failures of the judicial system to secure fair trails, as exemplified by the case against former Minister Valeriu Pasat; stressed that Moldavia must comply with ruling from the European Court of Human Rights and secure full access for appeals,

7.
Calls on the Commission to raise firmly the question of respect for human rights and link Moldova's progress in this field to further implementation of the ENP Action Plan, and to assist Moldova and its civil society in this direction; underlines that the Romanian accession to the European Union will further facilitate progress and democratisation in Moldova, due to the strong cultural links between the two countries;

8.
Welcomes the implementation by the Ukrainian authorities of customs controls along its border with Transnistria on 3 March 2006, following the Joint Agreement on cargo transit signed by the Moldovan and Ukrainian prime-ministers last December and endorsed by the European Union; stresses that better controls on the border are an essential element in bringing the conflict to and end, including by limiting the arms trade;

9.
Calls on all parties to fully engage in the search for a negotiated end to the Transdnistria problem, starting with measures aiming at restoring legal commercial links over the territory of Transdnistria, and to secure a political settlement to the conflict,

10.
Condemns the decree by Igor Smirnov, self-proclaimed president of Transnistria, prohibiting the funding of non-governmental organizations by foreign donors, effective from 7 March; condemns the harassment of independent media and opposition leaders,

11.
Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission and Council and to the government and Parliament of Moldavia.